Wind Concerns Ontario is a province-wide advocacy organization whose mission is to provide information on the potential impact of industrial-scale wind power generation on the economy, human health, and the natural environment.

West Elgin residents send clear message to municipal council at a jammed public meeting in West Lorne

West Elgin resident Michael Parezanovic makes a point at a public meeting at the Elgin‌ International Centre on wind turbines Tuesday. More than 250 people attended — most, apparently in opposition to turbines.

WEST LORNE – If it were up to the majority of 254 West Elgin residents who attended a public meeting this week, there wouldn’t be any wind turbines in their municipality.

That was the dominant view expressed at the Elgin International Centre where residents jammed the large meeting hall to hear information about turbines and then offer their opinions.

West Elgin council hosted the meeting as it prepares to debate whether to be a willing or unwilling host for wind turbines.

As residents heard, the municipality does have that option which may or may not constitute some deterrence for developers who are currently approaching landowners to offer them lease agreements so they can erect turbines, which average 80 metres in height.

Residents heard from legal experts their municipality has few opportunities under Ontario’s Green Energy Act to regulate or outlaw turbines.

Regulatory powers are limited to controlling road access to the site and some local bylaws that apply generally to land use.

Carmen Krogh, a health expert who has studied the effects of wind turbines on people, told the meeting the research is clear that turbines can not only annoy people, they can cause issues relating to noise. That’s not acceptable, she suggested.

“We have a right to attain sustainable standards of health,” she said.

She noted recent concessions by the wind turbine industry to aim for a noise level of only 20% by 2025 complicates the issue.

“It really make the health research complicated,” she said.

Residents who live too close to turbines suffer from sleep disruption, nausea and irritability.

“We know these symptoms are valid,” she said.

While residents expressed their anger about the possibility of wind turbines locating here, several people pointed out it is partly due to the fact other landowners are leasing property which would allow them in.

Council will debate whether to be a willing or unwilling host for wind turbines in October.